What life under U.S. sanctions looks like for one ICC judge
Key Points:
- Canadian judge Kimberly Prost at the International Criminal Court (ICC) has faced extensive difficulties accessing services from U.S.-linked companies and had her credit cards canceled after being sanctioned by the United States.
- The sanctions stem from a 2017 ICC decision, in which Prost and other judges authorized an investigation into alleged war crimes in Afghanistan, including a minor U.S. component that was never pursued.
- The Trump administration's sanctions target ICC officials involved in cases concerning Israel, Gaza, and Afghanistan, with nine of the court's 18 judges and other key personnel currently sanctioned.
- Prost and fellow ICC judges have filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, arguing the sanctions are unlawful and interfere with judicial independence.
- Despite the sanctions affecting her personal life and access to services, Prost continues her judicial work at the ICC, emphasizing her commitment to impartiality and the rule of law.